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BSEN40210

Academic Year 2026/2027

Green Technologies Project (BSEN40210)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Anna Molter
Trimester:
Autumn and Spring (separate)
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce and critically assess the concept of “green technology”. The term green technology is applied to a variety of processes, and in some cases is used inappropriately. In this module green technology is defined as a technology that uses or directly influences a biological process with the intention of supporting the sustainable use of global resources. Examples include biofuels, wetland treatment of contaminated water, microbiological and enzyme processing of foods, novel agriculture, forestry and marine resource utilisation. During the module, you will consider what makes a technology “green”, the importance of the bioeconomy and issues of sustainability and social justice. In addition to technical knowledge, the module will address critical assessment of literature, the definition of design criteria and the formation of opinions. During the module, you will use the knowledge you acquire, combined with critical thinking, to prepare a review of a “green technology” that will address why it is “green”, the evidence to support such claims, its contribution to sustainability and the opinion you will form of the technology over the 12 weeks of the module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Define and appraise a green technology in terms of its design, contribution to sustainability and role in the bioeconomy
(2) Synthesize evidence from academic and non-academic sources to evaluate a green technology
(3) Formulate, explain and defend an opinion on the bioeconomy and sustainability in the context of a specific green technology

Indicative Module Content:

(1) A working definition of 'green technology'
(2) Choosing a technology to review
(3) The idea of biological services
(4) Searching for and evaluating sources of infomration
(5) The bioecoomy context
(6) Evidence, testing and verification
(7) Critical analysis
(8) The social context
(9) The sustainability context
(10) Design and ecodesign
(11) Formulating an opinion
(12) The final report

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Proficient

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Expert

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Expert

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Competent

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Proficient

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Expert

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Competent

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Not addressed

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

36

Autonomous Student Learning

48

Online Learning

36

Total

120


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- Directed reading
- Online lectures
- Focus on critical assessment
- Reflection

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

You should have a degree (2:2 or equivalent) in science, applied science, technology or engineering. Some level of technical knowledge related to environmental science, environmental management, environmental technology or environmental engineering is desirable.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Project Report Week 12 Graded No
65
Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: Contribution to online discussions Week 12 Graded No
10
Yes
Reflective Assignment: Weekly Reflective Diary Week 12 Graded No
25
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be delivered via Brightspace